NIU LB pleads not guilty to assault charges, admits to drug use

Posted by Ben Kercheval on March 22, 2012, 8:28 PM EST

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Facing charges for allegedly running into a member of the Toledo marching band on purpose, Northern Illinois linebacker Jamaal Bass appeared in Lucas County (Ohio) court today and pleaded not guilty to felonious and misdemeanor assault.

The incident took place last November during NIU’s road game against the Rockets in pre-game festivities. Bass was ultimately suspended three games for the incident but is still on the team.

As one of our readers diligently shared in a video, Bass is seen running out on to the field with his team and jumps shoulder-first into a UT band member. Whether or not he did it on purpose is up to you to decide.

A pretrial hearing is set for April 25. If convicted, Bass could face up to nine years in jail.

Additionally, a judge “ordered a monitored recognizance bond, which includes regular phone contacts, as well as drug and alcohol testing.” At that time, Bass did admit marijuana would be found in his system. As a result, NIU released the following statement:

“Northern Illinois Athletics has in place a Drug Testing Policy which applies to all student-athletes. That policy dictates a specific course of action which NIU will now begin with football’s Jamaal Bass based on his statement today in Toledo.”